Fence structure



y 4, 1955 E. T. DOUGHERTY 2,709,073

FENCE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 12. 1954 p JNVEHTUR.

[lo/u t Z 0006;441:77

SMGJ M A TY'OHNEV United States Patent O FENCE STRUCTURE Earle T. Dougherty, Phoenix, Ariz.

Application February 12, 1954, Serial No. 409,899

1 Claim. (Cl. 256-24) This invention pertains to improvements in fence structures and is particularly directed to an improved fence utilizing a series of prefabricated panels which may be linked together to form the fence structure.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a prefabricated fence structure which is economical to manufacture and especially easy to install without the use of special tools or skill.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a prefabricated fence structure comprising a series of panels prepared with the necessary fencing wire in position and which panels may be easily transported to the job and installed by any one without the use of special tools or apparatus or wire pulling devices of any kind.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved fence structure comprising a series of prefabricated panels having the wire stretched thereon which may be readily placed in or removed from desired positions in the field.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved fence structure which is dcmountable in character to facilitate trimming and other operations around the base of the fence at the installation in the field.

Further features and advantages of this invention will appear from a detailed description of the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary general perspective view of a fence structure incorporating the features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the fence structure of Fig. 1 shown partly in sections.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the subject matter shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the prefabricated fence panel links of the fence structure.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of a portion of the fence shown in raised position for trimming or cleaning up about the lower edge of the fence.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the subject matter shown in Fig. 5.

As exemplary of one embodiment of this invention there is shown in Fig. 1 a typical fence structure which may be constructed by the use of the features of this invention. This fence structure comprises a series of posts comprising the corner post 10 and the line posts 11 each of which may be directly mounted in the soil or may preferably be mounted in the sleeves 12 secured in a suitable cement grout 13 in the soil 14 below the ground surface 15.

Each of the unique fence members comprises a frame structure having a bottom rail 16, a top rail 17, and vertically disposed side rails 18 and 19 secured to the ends of the members 16 and 17. Attached to one of the side rails, such as the rail 18, are the mounting rings 20 and 21 which are preferably placed so that the top surface 22 of the ring 20 is substantially in alignment with the top edge 23 of the top rail 17 as best seen in Fig. 2 while the bottom surface 24 of the lower ring 21 is substantially in too alignment with the bottom edge 25 of the lower rail 16 of the panel shown in Fig. 4. On the other vertical side rail 19 is rigidly fixed the mounting rings 26 and 27, more closely together than the rings 20 and 21 so that the distance between the upper surface 28 of the ring 26 and the lower surface 29 of the ring 27 nicely fit between the lower surface 30 of the ring 20 and the upper surface 31 of the ring 21 of adjacent panels marked generally at 32. Thus, each panel 32 forms a link in the fence structure cooperating accurately and in alignment with adjacent panels 32 when the panels and their rings are slipped over the posts 10 and 11 as best shown in Fig. 2.

Preferably, the panels 32 comprising the members 16, 17, 18 and 19 are prefabricated with the desired wire or screening 33 secured properly in place and under proper tension at the factory before shipment. Thus it is apparent that the basic unit shown in Fig. 4 comprising the frame structures 16, 17, 18 and 19 and the particularly positioned mounting rings 2021 and 2627 secured on opposite ends of the frame 32 provides a basic element cooperating with simple end posts 10 and line posts 11 for quick assembly and disassembly of the fence structure without the use of any special tools, skill or special equipment whatsoever. It may be desired to have appropriate set screws such as at 34 in the rings to lock the various panels 32 in position on the posts 10 and 11 and it might be also desirable to utilize suitable post caps 35 to improve the appearance and durability of the fence.

Not only is the construction of the fence greatly simplified and also the fence structure as a whole adapted to complete prefabrication at the factory before shipment, but it also has the feature of easy maintenance due to the particular structure utilized. In Fig. 6 shows the situation where it is desired to clean up, trim or cultivate adjacent the base of the fence lower rail 16, for example. All that is necessary to do is to remove the caps 35 from the end and line posts and to raise the fence panels up sufficiently that the under surface 30 of the ring 20 may be placed on the top surface 37 of the respective end and line posts by slightly offsetting the axis of the rings 20 and 26 from the axis of the end and line posts as best shown in Fig. 6 so that the lower rails 16 of the fence panels 32 will be raised up to give a suitable clearance space 38 above the ground surface 15 to enable quick and easy trimming up or other work under the fence structure. On completion of this maintenance work the fence is then moved sidewise so that the rings: 20 and 26 again come into alignment with the line and end posts so that the panels again drop down into secure engagement with the ground surface. It is to be understood, of course, that the fence may be suspended with its lower rails 16 slightly above the ground surface as desired by appropriate positioning of the panels by locking the set screws 34 to the end posts 10 and line posts 11 as desired. It will also be noted that by using the preferred structure of having the end post 10 and line post 11 demountably positioned in the sleeves 12 that these posts can be pulled out easily and quickly and the entire fence disassembled and moved out of the way for construction and entry purposes to the fence area.

While the apparatus herein disclosed and described constitutes a preferred form of the invention, it is also to be understood that the apparatus is capable of mechanical alteration without departing from the spirit of the invention and that such mechanical arrangement and commercial adaptation as fall within the scope of the appendant claim are intended to be included herein.

Having thus fully set forth and described this invention what is claimed and desired to be obtained by United States Letters Patent is:

A fence structure comprising, straight cylindrical fence posts, vertically disposed mounting sleeves fixed in the said mounting sleeves so that said fence may be swung 10 open and removed solely by the withdrawal of said posts upwardly out ofsaid mounting sleeves and said rings; and

means in said rings for locking said panel link members to said posts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bailey Jan. 5, 1904 Schneider Jan. 9, 1912 

